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Posted: February 4, 2026 (2 days ago)

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Contract Specialist

Defense Logistics Agency

Department of Defense

Fresh

Location

Salary

$82,289 - $128,221

per year

Closes

February 11, 2026

GS-12 Pay Grade

Base salary range: $74,441 - $96,770

Typical requirements: 1 year specialized experience at GS-11. Advanced degree + significant experience.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job as a Contract Specialist with the Defense Logistics Agency involves managing the full process of government contracts, from planning and soliciting bids to negotiating deals and overseeing modifications for supplies, services, and projects.

It's ideal for someone with a background in procurement or contracting who enjoys detailed work in a structured federal environment, especially those with experience in defense-related acquisitions.

At the GS-12 level, it requires independent handling of complex contracts, while GS-11 offers a developmental role with guidance.

Key Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, or prior DoD/military contracting experience before September 30, 2000, exempting the degree requirement
  • At least two years of experience in a contracting position
  • One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-11 (for GS-12) or GS-09 (for GS-11) in federal, military, or private sector, involving procurement principles, solicitation, negotiation, and acquisition planning
  • For GS-11: Option to substitute with 3 years of graduate education, Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree
  • Knowledge of contracting laws, statutes, regulations, and procedures applicable to federal procurement
  • Ability to perform cradle-to-grave contracting actions, including cost/price analysis and contract modifications
  • Meet time-in-grade and other federal eligibility requirements by the application deadline

Full Job Description

See below for important information regarding this job. To qualify for a Contract Specialist, your resume and supporting documentation must support: A.

Basic Contracting Requirement: A.) A bachelor's degree from an accredited educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees OR B.) a current civilian employee in DoD or member of the Armed Forces, who occupied an 1102 position, contracting officer position, or comparable military contracting position with authority to award or administer contracts above the simplified acquisition threshold on or before September 30, 2000, are excluded from the requirements of "A)" above.

B. Contracting Officer Requirement: Must possess at least two years of experience in a contracting position. C.

Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience that equipped you with the particular competencies to successfully perform the duties of the position and is directly in or related to this position.

To qualify at the GS-12 level, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 level or equivalent under other pay systems in the Federal service, military, or private sector.

To qualify at the GS-11 level, applicants must possess one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level or equivalent under other pay systems in the Federal service, military, or private sector.

Applicants must meet eligibility requirements including time-in-grade (General Schedule (GS) positions only), time-after-competitive appointment, minimum qualifications, and any other regulatory requirements by the cut-off/closing date of the announcement.

Creditable specialized experience includes: GS-11: With assistance, applying and adapting contracting principles, laws, statutes, regulations, and procedures applicable to procurement/contracting actions Soliciting offers to procure a variety of standard requirements for supplies or services Negotiating to procure services, equipment, and/or construction projects Assisting in performing acquisition planning GS-12: Applying and adapting contracting principles, laws, statutes, regulations, and procedures applicable to procurement/contracting actions Soliciting offers to procure a variety of requirements ranging from standard to specialized supplies or services Performing acquisition planning Negotiating to procure extensive services, complex equipment, and/or construction projects Serving as the central point of contact for procurement actions D.

Education Substitution: Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work.

Education must be from a college or university accredited by an organization approved by the U.S. Department of Education. See http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/Search.aspx.

If using education to meet basic qualifications, YOU MUST SUBMIT A TRANSCRIPT as supplemental documentation.

To qualify based on education in lieu of specialized experience, you must possess: GS-11: 3 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.

GS-12: Substitution of education may not be used in lieu of specialized experience for this grade level.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social).

Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.

You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Major Duties:

  • If selected at the GS-11 level, duties will be performed in a developmental capacity:
  • Performs cradle-to-grave contracting actions including acquisition planning, solicitation, evaluation and cost/price analyses, negotiations, contract award, modifications/amendments, terminations, closeouts, and contractor performance reviews.
  • Prepares solicitations, Requests for Quotes (RFQs), Invitations for Bids (IFBs), and Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to include clauses, award factors, and specifications to comply with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).
  • Monitors solicitations, issuing amendments, answering potential offerors' questions, and assuring that all suppliers are treated equally to maximize receipt of competition and minimize protests.
  • Formulates negotiation strategy and identifies areas subject to negotiation.
  • Conducts extensive negotiations before and/or after contract award; negotiates required changes as necessary.
  • Handles complex, controversial post-award actions and problems, justifying and explaining issues and positions, and solving particular contractual problems.

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Posted on USAJOBS: 2/4/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 2/5/2026

Source: USAJOBS | ID: DLAContrSvcs-26-12874882-MP